Van Gaal: Manchester United Prodigy Wilson Can Compete With Falcao And Van Persie

Robin Van Persie may be dropped in favour of James Wilson for the clash against Crystal Palace(Getty Images/Alex Livesey)

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes prodigy James Wilson is ready to compete against first-team strikers Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie for a place in the first XI.

The 18-year-old forward made a sensational debut under interim manager Ryan Giggs last season, scoring a brace in the 3-1 victory over Hull, and is considered the latest wunderkind to emerge from Old Trafford youth system.

An injury during the start of the new campaign hampered his breakthrough into the first-team but van Gaal recently gave him an opportunity prove his worth with two late cameos in the crucial games against Chelsea and Manchester City.

When asked by MUTV if Wilson was pressing for a second start in the top flight, following his last season full debut against Hull City, van Gaal explained: "He has already been knocking on the door for a long time, that I have said in many press conferences. That is not only because he substituted Robin van Persie in the last match. I believe in him but he has competition with [Radamel] Falcao and Robin van Persie."